Ask Susan Slusser: Zito’s future, the good guys

Susan, I keep hearing Barry Zito may be traded. Do you think he will be and if so, how long must A’s fans continue to watch our top players go elsewhere? — Randall Y., Fremont

Billy Beane is never afraid to deal anyone if he gets his asking price, but this is one instance where I think it’s going to be tough to deal Zito even if Beane gets a whopper of an offer. The A’s are likely to be in the race all year, so they need Zito, especially with Rich Harden out at least two months as a conservative guess. The team’s track record has been to let their big-name free-agents-to-be play through their entire contracts (Giambi, Tejada, etc.) — Hudson and Mulder were the exceptions. Unless they fall horribly out of it somehow, I can’t see Zito going anywhere, unless the deal is a complete steal and gets them a bona fide No. 2 caliber starter (someone who is a No. 2 starter right now, not projected to be one) as part of the return package. I don’t think many teams will go that nuts to get Zito unless they’re sure they can sign him to a multi-year deal, and that might be difficult. Oakland wouldn’t let Atlanta negotiate with Hudson before that trade; I doubt that stance would change.

Athletes sometimes end up in the news for doing the wrong things. Who are the good guys on the A’s, the ones you get along with best, the ones you’d have to a kid’s birthday party? — Yolanda G., Alameda

The list of candidates is a long one; the A’s clubhouse is known as one of the friendliest and most accommodating in all of pro sports, and with good reason: It’s a terrific group of guys. Eric Chavez is among the most genuinely nice athletes around, and he’s also been with the team the longest, so I’d put him at the top of the list, but I’m not sure you could go wrong. And Nick Swisher would be certain to be a huge hit at any kid’s birthday party, that’s a no-brainer.

How cool is Yankee Stadium? Do you actually feel ghosts? — James U., Aptos

The monument area is the place where you definitely get some eerie feelings; that’s a lot of impressive history out there. I was just telling one of the New York writers how much I’ll miss Yankee Stadium when they get their new park nearby; the working conditions aren’t great for the press, which is the same at all the older parks, but it is still one of the great ballparks of all time, and that makes up for all its shortcomings for fans and media and players alike. Even if you’re not a Yankees fan, I’d strongly recommend visiting before its time is over.